Optical illusion apparatus

ABSTRACT

An optical illusion “magic” apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a first spherical element situated within a second spherical element, each of said spherical elements having a circumference, the circumference of said first spherical element being from about 1% to about 99% smaller than the diameter of said second spherical element.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/397,442 filed on Jun. 14, 2010 entitled “OPTICAL ILLUSION APPARATUS”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an optical illusion apparatus and more specifically, an optical illusion device comprising a colored or metallic or chromed sphere situated within a transparent, translucent or clear sphere.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are various patents covering optical illusion devices. The present invention provides for “magic” device comprising a colored or metallic or chromed ball encased within a transparent, translucent or clear ball wherein the movement of the device allows for the illusion that the balls are suspended or stationary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an optical illusion apparatus comprising: a first spherical element situated within a second transparent spherical element, each of the spherical elements has a diameter, and the diameter of the first spherical element is from about 1% to about 60% smaller than the diameter of the second spherical element.

In another embodiment, when the apparatus is moved, the first spherical element appears to be visually suspended. In yet another embodiment, when the apparatus is rolled, the first spherical element appears to be visually stationary. In another embodiment, the diameter of the first spherical element is from about 1% to about 90% smaller than the diameter of the second spherical element.

In still another embodiment, the first spherical element has a color. In still yet another embodiment, the first spherical element has a tinted color. In a further embodiment, the first spherical element has a metallic color including chromed balls. In another further embodiment, the first spherical element is situated within the center of the second spherical element.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an optical illusion device comprising: a first solid spherical element situated within the center of a second solid clear spherical element, and the first spherical element has an outer surface, and the second spherical element has an inner surface, and the distance between the outer surface of the first spherical element and the inner surface of the second spherical element is from about 1 mm to about 31.75 mm.

In still a further embodiment, the first spherical element has a circumference from about 156.372 mm to about 287.624 mm. In yet still a further embodiment, the second spherical element has a circumference from about 159.512 mm to about 398.78 mm. In another embodiment, the first spherical element has a diameter from about 49.8 mm to about 91.6 mm. In yet another embodiment, the second spherical element has a diameter from about 50.8 mm to about 127 mm.

In still another embodiment, the present invention provides for an optical illusion apparatus comprising: a first spherical element situated within a second spherical element, each of said spherical elements having a circumference, the circumference of said first spherical element being from about 1% to about 99% smaller than the diameter of said second spherical element.

In still yet another embodiment, the first spherical element is a chrome ball. In a further embodiment, the second spherical element is constructed of a material that is selected from a group consisting essentially of transparent, translucent and clear materials.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for optimum safety dimensions and colors or tints for the first sphere. Testing has shown that two clear balls when exposed to sunlight, heat sources or intense light source act as magnifying glasses. Testing has also shown that certain distances between the outside surface of the first sphere and the inside surface of second sphere optimizes the performance, functionality and safety features of the apparatus. The present invention provides for a safe product based on its dimension, the sizes of the spheres and the color or tint of the first sphere.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent material situated with either the first or second sphere or both. In a further embodiment, the glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent materials may be injected into the first or second sphere or both. In another further embodiment, a LED light may be place within the first or second sphere or both. In yet a further embodiment, the first or second sphere or both may contain any illuminating material or device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is perspective views of the optical illusion “magic” apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing measurements based on diameters of the first and second sphere;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus showing measurements based on the distance between the exterior surface of the first sphere relative to the interior surface of the second sphere;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus showing measurements of the circumferences of the two balls of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of how the product moves or spins but creates the illusion that the ball, particularly the first inside ball appears to “float” or be suspended or stationary.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate an optical illusion apparatus 1 comprising a first sphere 2 that has a color, tint or metallic hue encased within a second sphere 3 which may be transparent, translucent and clear. As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus 1 spins or moves but the first and/or second spheres, 2 and 3 respectively, appear to be stationary, suspended or “floating”.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 1 comprising a first sphere or ball 2 inside the center of a second sphere or ball 3. The diameter of the first sphere, d2, is smaller than the diameter of the second sphere, d3. In one embodiment, the diameter of the first sphere d2 is from about 1% to about 99% smaller than the diameter of the second sphere d3. In another embodiment, the diameter of the first sphere d2 is from about 1% to about 60% smaller than the diameter of the second sphere d3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus 1 comprising a first sphere or ball 2 inside the center of a second sphere or ball 3 wherein there is a distance or measurement, m1, between an outside surface of the first ball 2 and an inside surface of the second ball 3. In one embodiment, the measurement m1 is from about 1 mm to about 31.75 mm

FIG. 4 depicts an apparatus 1 comprising a first sphere or ball 2 inside the center of a second sphere or ball 3 wherein the first and second balls, 2 and 3 respectively, each have a circumference, c2 and c3 respectively. The circumference c2 of the first ball 2 is smaller than the circumference c3 of the second ball 3. In one embodiment, the circumference of the first sphere c2 is from about 1% to about 99% smaller than the circumference of the second sphere c3. In another embodiment, the circumference of the first sphere c2 is from about 1% to about 60% smaller than the circumference of the second sphere c3.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the attendant claims attached hereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein. 

1. An optical illusion apparatus comprising: a first spherical element situated within a second transparent spherical element, each of said spherical elements having a diameter, the diameter of said first spherical element being from about 1% to about 60% smaller than the diameter of said second spherical element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is moved, said first spherical element appears to be visually suspended.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is rolled, said first spherical element appears to be visually stationary.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a LED light.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fluorescent material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first spherical element has a metallic color.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first spherical element is situated within the center of said second spherical element.
 8. An optical illusion device comprising: a first solid spherical element situated within the center of a second solid clear spherical element, said first spherical element having an outer surface, said second spherical element having an inner surface, the distance between said outer surface of said first spherical element and said inner surface of said second spherical element is from about 1 mm to about 31.75 mm.
 9. The device of claim 7 wherein said device is moved, said first spherical element appears to be visually suspended.
 10. The device of claim 7 wherein said device is rolled, said first spherical element appears to be visually stationary.
 11. The device of claim 7 wherein said first spherical element has a color.
 12. The device of claim 7 wherein said first spherical element has a tinted color.
 13. The device of claim 7 wherein said spherical element has a metallic color.
 14. The device of claim 7 wherein said first spherical element has a circumference from about 156.372 mm to about 287.624 mm.
 15. The device of claim 7 wherein said second spherical element has a circumference from about 159.512 mm to about 398.78 mm.
 16. The device of claim 7 wherein said first spherical element has a diameter from about 49.8 mm to about 91.6 mm.
 17. The device of claim 7 wherein said second spherical element has a diameter from about 50.8 mm to about 127 mm.
 18. An optical illusion apparatus comprising: a first spherical element situated within a second spherical element, each of said spherical elements having a circumference, the circumference of said first spherical element being from about 1% to about 60% smaller than the diameter of said second spherical element.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first spherical element is a chrome ball.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said second spherical element is constructed of a material that is selected from a group consisting essentially of transparent, translucent and clear materials. 